Coronavirus: Sharjah lifts all travel restrictions, opens to tourists

Prior approval is no more needed for Sharjah residents with valid visas to enter the emirate.
Moreover, the emirate has lifted all travel restrictions and tourists are also allowed to enter freely. The move is part of the emirate's efforts to normalise all activities, said the Sharjah Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Committee.
"All travellers to and from Sharjah must strictly adhere to health and safety procedures in order to protect themselves and check the spread of Covid-19. Residents and tourists will have to bear the costs of their medical tests and treatment in the event of Covid-19 infection. They must observe all precautionary measures and monitor themselves for any Covid-19 symptoms," said the authority.
"Travel is now permitted for all citizens and residents through the ports of Sharjah to or from any destinations. However, all travellers must assess the Covid-19 situation of the countries they are planning to visit. Both tourists and residents must ensure they have adequate health insurance," it added.
Mandatory Covid-19 test
Travellers to Sharjah must have a negative Covid-19 test report, conducted not more than 96 hours earlier, before arriving at the emirate. Travellers will have to undergo another Covid-19 test at their port of entry regardless of their earlier negative report.

"Incoming travellers must also subject themselves to self-quarantine at their residence until the results of their Covid-19 tests are notified. In case the result is positive, travellers concerned will have to undergo home/health quarantine up to a period stipulated by the Ministry of Health and Community Prevention (Mohap).

"In case of a positive case of Covid-19, the period of medical isolation is 14 days, with travellers or their sponsors bearing the expenses of treatment and isolation. In the event of non-compliance of quarantine restrictions, they will be liable to strict legal action and penalties," added the officials.

These travel guidelines and procedures will be updated and reviewed from time to time, according to the Committee.
Sharjah open to tourists

With Sharjah reopening all sectors for business, tourists and visitors from all countries are now permitted to travel to Sharjah provided all necessary requirements for entry are met.

"All travellers must have international health insurance and a negative PCR test report conducted not more than four days before their date of travel. They will have to show these at the time of entry. They will have to undergo another PCR test upon arrival," said the Sharjah Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Committee.

The visitors will also have to fill a health disclosure and hand it over to the competent authorities at the port. They will have to self-quarantine at their hotel or place of residence until the results of the PCR test arrive. Those who have Emirates ID will need to download the Al Hosn app that monitors the isolation and quarantine of positive cases according to the procedures of the Ministry of Health and Community Prevention (Mohap).

All travellers must disclose all medical symptoms and underlying conditions. They will also need to fill out the form provided by the airlines.

Meanwhile, UAE citizens must notify the country's embassies in case they develop any Covid-19 symptoms while abroad.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah

Afkar Ali Ahmed

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com